Latest articles by Matt McCracken
Best Stratocasters 2025: Top Strat picks from Fender and Squier
Our experts countdown the best Strat guitars - from budget to pro - that showcase arguably the most iconic guitar of all time
Best audio interface 2025: For home recording, podcasting, and streaming - tested by experts
Our tried and tested pick of USB and Thunderbolt interfaces for Mac and PC across every budget, plus full reviews, in-depth testing, and buying advice
Best synthesizers 2025: Top analogue, digital, mono and polysynths
From mini monosynths, through to mighty polyphonic workstations, our experts have hand-picked hardware synth recommendations for every budget
Best cheap MIDI keyboards 2025: Inexpensive MIDI controllers starting at just £39/$49
Start making music for less with our selection of affordable MIDI keyboards from Arturia, Akai, Nektar, Novation, and more
“Even a complete beginner could get the 18i20 set up and start making multi-mic recordings”: Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen review
We put the latest iteration of Focusrite’s 8-channel interface to the test
Best budget USB microphones 2025: Get creative and sound better for less
Our expert pick of the top cheap USB mics for streaming, podcasting, recording, gaming, work calls, and more
“A brilliant piece of kit that’s more than a match for the demands of the modern producer/engineer”: Universal Audio Apollo x4 Gen 2 review
The next generation of Universal Audio Apollo is here, and we got hands-on ahead of launch to put it through its paces
Best pedal amps 2025: Get the sound, feel and response of an amp, all on your pedalboard
Downsize your rig with the best amps-in-a-box to suit all styles of music
Best studio desks 2025: budget-spanning options for organising your recording studio space
Streamline your production setup and bring order to your creative space with one of the best desks for music production
8 tips to improve your mixes in 2025 that won't cost you anything
Get ahead on your mixing game in 2025 with these spend-free tips from a master mixing engineer and producer
With up to 92% off plugins and software, Plugin Boutique just gave you the best excuse to upgrade your productions
Cure your post-NAMM blues with a huge selection of discounted plugins from just $/£5
What are the best online guitar lessons in 2025? I review guitar gear for a living and these are my favourite lessons platforms
My pick of the best online guitar courses will get your playing up to speed from the comfort of your own home, whether you're a beginner, intermediate, or advanced player
Best acoustic guitar for beginners 2025: Strum your first chords with our choice of beginner acoustic guitars
Start playing today with beginner acoustics from Taylor, Fender, Epiphone, Martin and more – hand-picked by experts
Best MIDI keyboards 2025: Mac, PC and iOS keyboards for players, composers and producers
Our expert guide to the best MIDI keyboards of all sizes and budgets to integrate with your home studio
Best DAWs 2025: The best digital audio workstations for PC and Mac
Our expert pick of music production software packages for every budget and application - tested and rated
Best PCs for music production 2025: Apple Macs and Windows machines for your home studio
Discover the power that a desktop PC or Mac can bring to your music-making, with our expert pick of the best desktops for music production
“Presents a supremely intuitive workflow and fantastic quality preamps”: SSL 2+ MKII review
The latest audio interface to get an update steps into the home recording ring
Best acoustic guitars 2025: Super steel string acoustics for all players and budgets
Our pick of the very best flat tops from Taylor, Martin, Gibson, Fender and loads more
Best electric guitars 2025: Our pick of guitars to suit all budgets
Find the top electric guitar for your budget and playing style, whether you play rock, metal, blues or beyond
Best vocal mics 2025: Our top vocal microphones for stage and studio
Add some sheen to your vocals with the best dynamic and condenser mics from Shure, AKG, Rode, Aston, Telefunken, Neumann, and more
Best reverb pedals 2025: Our pick of reverb effects for your pedalboard
From subtle to extreme, these are our reverb top picks right now
“Quality sound, volume on tap, and plenty of flexibility”: Positive Grid Spark Edge review
We put PG’s latest pint-sized powerhouse to the test
Best in-ear monitors 2025: IEMs for stage and studio
Our expert guide to the best in-ear monitors for practice, performance and production, no matter your budget
